Game



Aug. 25,.1925.

E". w. cHAPlN GAME Fild July 14, 1924 gul/iunior FW Cid/W27 Patented Aug. 25, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANKLIN W. CHAPIN, OF ATI-IOL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0 WILLIE L. GERHARD, OIE ATI-IOL, MASSACHUSETTS.

GAME.

Application fils-d July 14, 1924.

T 0 all whom# may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANKLIN WV. CHAPTN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Athol, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Games, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates toa device that may be broadly classified as a new game, but the invention has more particular reference to a device of this class which may be more conveniently termed a puzzle.

In carrying out the present invention, I have evolved and produced what I believe to be an exceedingly novel little toy, which will undoubtedly provoke considerable amusement, both for children and grown up persons.

Broadly speaking, the improved toy comprises a container which is divided by internal partitions into a multiplicity of passageways for a plurality of gravity rolled balls which will pass through the passage- Aways at .random when the container is tilted into various positions. The container is pro-` vided with a pocket or apen which is the goal sought, it being the object of the players to attempt to collect all of the balls within this pen.

It is a feature of the invention to practically conceal all of the so-called passageways, so that the players will be unable to ascertain in which passageway the balls are contained after the container is first tilted.

It is also a feature and an advantage of the invention to so arrange certain of the passages that a skilled performer may, by proper manipulation, collect substantially all of the balls in a, pocket in a very short time.

It is another, but no less important feature of my invention to provide a comparatively simple and inexpensive device of this class, which may be sold for a paltry sum.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like4 numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 shows a top plan view of a puzzle, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse section, taken subseriai No. 725,916.

stantially on the plane of the line 2 2 of Figure l.

The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a comparatively shallow box l of suitable material. The box is preferably elongated or substantially -rectangular in configuration. As before stated, I propose to divide this box internally, through the use of a multiplicity of partitions, into a plurality of passages or passageways for the gravity rolled balls 2. Of course, this end may be accomplished in other ways, but I prefer to employ a plurality of blocks vwhich may be wooden blocks if desired. Furthermore, if the boX 1 is composed of cardboard as I contemplate, these blocks may be simply glued in their proper relative positions. The blocks are of various sizes anal designs and are accurately arranged to provide rather tortuous passageways. For instance, I may use a comparatively large double notched block 3 in the forward left hand corner, with a row of substantially symmetrical oblong spaced blocks 4, at the same end of the boil. Cooperative with the blocks 4: and 3 is an elongated oblong block 5, which is spaced from the first named oblong and adjacent the block 5 is a substantially square block 6, next to which is an L-shaped block 7. A larger and similar shaped block 8 is disposed in spaced but close proximity to the block 7 The before-mentioned pen or pocket is designated by the reference character 9 and this is formed by the elongated boundary walls 10. The entrance to this pen is indicated at 11. It will be noted-that the wall of the entrance is directed in a diagonal direction as seen. Also, to frustrate the entrance of the balls in-to the pocket or pen, internal blocks 12 are provided. In addition to these other obstruction or partition blocks are provided, but these need not be referred to, it being only essential that the blocks be of a shape and design and so arranged as to provide a multiplicity of tortuous passages which are in communication with the entrance to the pockets.

As before stated, the double passageways are concealed from view, and in carrying this out, I simply propose to place a cardboard diaphragm over the passages, this diaphragm being more clearly shown in Figure 2, and being represented by the reference character 13. It is to be noted that the diaund phragm terminates in spaced relation from one end et the box and serres to uncover one end ot' the aforesaid pen. ln order however, to pre ent the balls from getting ont of the box, a glass cover 11i is placed entirely over the open side of the box. This cover enables the balls to be. seen only in the inner end ot the container.

n playing the game, the Five little balls are gathered in one or the other oi the corners ot the box, as shown in Figure l, and the latter is lifted and tilted back and forth, in an attempt to collect all of the balls in the pen. soon as the boi; is tilted, the balls rim helter shelter and at random, all over the box. under the influence ot gravity, and it is exceedingly di'liicnlt to gather all tive balls in the socket. By proper manipulation, however, it is possible to collect all live of the balls in the pocket. For instance, a. very skilled player may canse the balls to slowly follow each other in succession in a predetermined and known course, thns tollowing the least obstructed pat-h to said pocket. Comparative skill, however, is required to do this., and it is in view or the dithcnlty of winning that a high of amusement is arovided. t is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates may be able to obtain a clear understanding ot the same from the toregoing description and drawings. rhereiore, a more lengthy description is deemed unnecessary.

Although l have shown and described a speeilic embodiment et the invention, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the scope of the adjoined claims may be resorted to, it desired.

l claim:

l. A container provided with a multiplicity of tort-lions ball passages, non-transparent means disposed over and concealing said passages, a plurality otl gravity inl'inenced balls in said container adapted to travel through said passages, and a ball collecting pocket having a restricted inlet in communication with but two of said passages.

2. A game of the class described comprising a container, a plurality of blocks arranged in spaced predetermined positions in said container tor dividing it into a multiplicity ot passageways, a ball collecting pocket in said container, a non-transparent diaphragm covering said passageways to conceal them, said diaphragms terminating in spaced relation `trom one end of the pocket and container, a plurality of balls in iid container adapted to travel through said passageways and into said pocket, and a glass cover tor said container, said cover exposing a portion of the pocket and said hails when they are in a predetermined position.

n. game or the cla-ss described comprising a container, a plurality ot obstructions arranged in spaced predetermined positions in said container for dividing it into a multiplicity of passageways, certain of said passageways coinnninicating with eachother and other passageways being out of communication with each other, a ball collecting pocket in said container, said pocket embodying a` restricted inlet for the balls', on one sine of which is a diagonally disposed wall, obstructions Within said pockets tending to hinder the entrance or" balls, and a closure tor said container.

lin testimony whereof l aliix my signature.

FRANKLIN W. CHAPIN. 

